Civil War in Nigeria - Essay Example

Introduction:

The Civil War in Nigeria is what can be described as a bi-African conflict.  It has been going on for almost a decade; prompted by the rise in Islamic radicalism throughout parts of Northern Africa (The Biafran War 1). As with many civil wars throughout the world, the Nigerian Civil War is one that is fought between the government and an Islamic insurgency that wants to change the current government with a theocracy; founded upon Shariah law. In order to understand the Civil War and give it a bit of background, this essay will discuss the way in which the insurgency began, the role of the founder of this insurgency, and changes within the dynamics of the struggle that had allowed it to the develop throughout the past decade. By such a level of analysis, this student hopes to explain the conflict more fully.

The “Who and What” of Boko Haram:

Founded in 2001, the rebel Boko Haram is a Salafist Islamic insurgency that wants to overthrow the existing democratically elected government of Nigeria and replace it with a government founded upon Sharia’ah law.  This particular group was founded in 2001 by Mohammed Yusuf.  Keeping in line with the radical level of Islamic groups that exist throughout the world beginning at the turn of the 21st century, Yusef saw the existing Nigerian government as corrupt, worldly, and unrepresentative of the Islamic communities that live throughout northern reaches of Nigeria. In trying to understand the Nigerian Civil War to a more complete degree, one should understand the fact that Nigeria is a multiethnic, multiracial, and multi-religious society (Nwenta, 2013). A large percentage of Nigeria is Christian; whereas a large minority is Muslim. It should not be understood that the entire Muslim population supports Boko Haram. However, a great deal of support has been generated for Boko Haram within the territory that it occupies due to repression, threats, and a certain level of approval on the part of the general population.

The Government and Natural Resource Wealth:

From the government perspective, it must be understood that Nigeria is a resource-rich territory. The government has been able to fund its activities and provide basic services to its population due to the fact that it gains a high level of revenue from these natural resources. This is both a blessing and a curse due to the fact that the Islamic insurgency is interested in getting its hands on the revenue from the economy. In order to understand the Civil War to a more effective degree, it must also be understood that neither side of this particular struggle is ultimately representative of the “good” or the “bad” (Yenta, 2013).

Two Sides to a Bloody Situation:

Whereas it is true that Boko Haram has been responsible for many tragedies, such as murdering entire villages and/or killing indiscriminately based only upon religion, the governmental response to this separatist movement/civil war has been equally heavy-handed. Many examples exist of the government forces indiscriminately murdering large groups of people due to the fact that they supported or gave refuge in some way shape or form to Boko Haram.  This ultimately is a counterproductive effort on the part of the strategic resolution to the Nigerian Civil War. Due to the fact that the government response has been so heavy-handed, it has oftentimes turned individuals away from the government into the arms of Boko Haram.  In order to understand this insurgency to a more full and complete degree, it is necessary to understand the disillusionment that has taken place within Nigeria.  Many individuals involved in the Civil War have only come to be involved due to the fact that they no longer believe that the government can have a positive impact in their lives.  In this way, they turn to Boko Haram as a way of seeking to find another path in the process of nation building.  Many outside nations have tried to provide support for the government; however, the level of corruption and the failure of government forces to be able to secure their own territory has discouraged other nations from playing a more active role.

Conclusion:

From the analysis, it is obvious that the situation within Nigeria is not merely an Islamic insurgency seeking to overthrow a legitimate and democratically elected government. Elements of corruption, cruelty, racism, and religiously motivated hatred factor into both sides of this the civil war and ensure that the ongoing struggle will likely last for a great deal longer before any resolution is met. Due to the fact that the Nigerian populace finds it impossible to incorporate such radical elements and the political process, the only means of resolution can exist for both sides is complete and utter annihilation of the other.